Are You One of Those Rugged Individualists?

Many Americans have the reputation of being rugged individualists. That is, they have a passion to be self-sufficient, self-reliant, and independent. Individualism certainly has its place. The Apostle Paul said, “Each one should carry his own load.” Yet at the same time, the Bible also calls us to live in community, to recognize that we are mutually dependent on one another. And this attitude should prevail across racial and ethnic lines. We are not to live in isolation, unconcerned about the needs of others. The Apostle Paul wrote in Philippians 2, “You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had. Though he was God, he did not think of equality with God as something to cling to. Instead, he gave up his divine privileges; he took the humble position as a slave, and was born as a human being. When he appeared in human form, he humbled himself in obedience to God and died a criminal’s death on the cross. Therefore God elevated him to the place of highest honor and gave him a name above all other names, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” When we follow the example of Christ in serving others, our Heavenly Father will applaud us as He did Jesus.